Accessibility Links

NatWest to launch talking ATMs for blind

Mark Atherton

April 10 2013, 2:19pm, The Times

RBS and NatWest are set to launch talking ATMs from next yearCate Gillon/Getty Images

NatWest, and its sister bank RBS, will be launching talking cash machines for blind and partially-sighted people from early next year. By the end of 2015 four out of five of its ATMs will be speech-enabled. This means that people with a visual impairment will be able to plug in their earphones and be verbally guided through their transactions.

The bank has been working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on ways that it can improve access to its services.

Ross McEwan, chief executive of retail banking at RBS and NatWest, said: “We know from our discussions with the RNIB how important talking ATMs are in improving accessibility and independence for our blind and partially sighted customers.”